1481 Myrtle Avenue
Eureka, California
July 20, 1966

Stanwood S. Schmidt, M.D.
707 K Street
Eureka, California

Dear Sir:

The name Stanwood always rings a bell with me as a fighting name, on account of the Stanwood Murphys, owners and operators of the giant Pacific Lumber Company of Scotia, California. In the early days of Eureka there was a favorite drinking bistro in Eureka across from the Vance Hotel named the Oberon. Marble floors, tapestries, pictures of the beautiful girls in the raw, etc. Jack London, an author, who had captured the imagination of the people of those days drove his 6 horse team and surry, valet and girlfriend from Santa Rosa over the old mountain road to Eureka. Spring 1910. Stanwood Murphy, grandfather of the present Stanwood of Scotia, and a Conservative Republican, met Jack London, a confirmed Socialist, in the Oberon. They argued over politics and started throwing punches. The bartenders locked the doors and they fought for over an hour. Stanwood had Jack London on the floor, barroom floor twice. After the fight they were both in the hospital for a couple of days licking their wounds.

It happened on a warm Saturday Evening, spring of 1910. I was there.

There was never a line in the newspapers about that fight, on account of the popularity and prestige of both gentlemen. Jack London wrote a novel or book named "The Call of the Wild", and brother he sure got called that Saturday night in the old Oberon Saloon.

Now you can see why the name Stanwood always rings a bell with me.

Only those present were privileged to see the fight of the century--there was no radio or T.V. It was a hush-hush affair.

I am to see Dr. Mooslin, July 28, for a check-up, post-operative. At this writing I am bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Your friend,

W. J. "Hap" Waters